DEWA opens first electric vehicle charging station

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority hopes to establish 100 charging stations in 2015

Al Tayer: "This station is an important step towards achieving the objectives of the sustainable smart city and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world."

The first electric vehicle charging station in Dubai has been inaugurated today by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA's) main office.

The initiative, which is to support the Emirate in reducing it's carbon footprint and protect the environment, involves installing fast, public, and home charging stations across Dubai. They will be installed at Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, RTA, and other locations such as shopping malls, petrol stations, hotels, and parking areas. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA said: "This station is an important step towards achieving the objectives of the sustainable smart city and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

"Currently, DEWA is implementing three main initiatives. These are connecting solar energy to houses and buildings, smart applications through smart meters and grids, and the infrastructure for vehicle charging stations".

DEWA aims to build the infrastructure needed to introduce electric vehicles in the Emirate and establish 100 charging stations in 2015. It is collaborating with a number of national and private organisations to implement this project.

"The inauguration of the first electric vehicle charging station in Dubai is a momentous occasion for Dubai and we were honoured to be present with the BMW i3, the first electric car that has zero emissions. We launched the BMW i8 hybrid sports car last year in Dubai, which has been well-received, so we look forward to continuing our dialogue with DEWA to assess the potential to sell the i3 in Dubai," said Stathis Stathis, managing director of AGMC.

DEWA is also working with real estate developers, including Emaar and Nakheel, to determine the most appropriate sites to set up electric vehicle charging stations across Dubai.

The first phase of the project includes installing 16 charging stations for public use. Each station can accommodate two vehicles at the same time. Twelve stations have been installed at DEWA's centres, which can charge 24 vehicles simultaneously.

The stations ready for use are at DEWA's head office, the Sustainable Building, Al Wasl, Al Hudaiba, Burj Nahar, Umm Ramool, and Jebel Ali.